Melatonin? - For low ANC

Dale423
Dale423 Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello all,

I'm on FOLFOX-6 for stage III colon cancer. I went in for my third treatment yesterday and was told my ANC count (720) was too low for chemo. They gave me a shot, I assume it was that growth factor chemical, and I'm going back Wed to try again. I desperately want to stay on schedule.

I was reading that Melatonin has been proven to increase the bodies production of Neutrophils in the white blood cell count. Does anyone have any experience with that?

Why wouldn't the oncologist simply keep pumping the growth factor in to keep the ANC up?

Thanks all, my positive thoughts are with you as always.

Comments

  • jenalynet
    jenalynet Member Posts: 361 Member
    #2
    Hi,
    I can't answer your question but do hope that you can get back on schedule with your treatment. I had my 3rd treatment of Folfox 6 on last Wednesday but now have to stop because of upcoming liver resection on May 17th, the doctors don't want to beat me up before surgery..I will keep you in my thoughts and hope you can resume treatment..Good thoughts being sent now..Audrey
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
    Hi. I completed FOLFOX in December. I had a lot of trouble with my white blood cell counts. I ended up doing the growth factor shots, after 3 or 4 cycles. I can certainly understand your frustration with the delay. I found that very difficult -- wanted to stay on schedule, and wanted to get it finished! My oncologist told me that a delay of up to two (or was it three?) weeks in any cycle had been shown not to make a difference to overall effectiveness of the chemo. I haven't read the research study myself, but he is terrific at keeping up to date. I realize this doesnt solve all the frustrations of a delay, but it did bring me some comfort.
    I haven't heard anything about melatonin helping neutrophil counts. Interesting.
    As to why they can't just pump the growth factor: unfortunately (like any drug), it is not without its negative side effects. In my case, it affected my liver. Can have other side effects. Not to scare you off -- it is a wonderful drug, but needs to be monitored and controlled (in my non-expert, non-professional understanding!). Best wishes to you.
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #4
    Hi Dale,

    I'm not sure about the Melatonin either. I had to skip a treatment because of low wbc. My onc is going to start giving me Neulasta. Haven't taken it yet and have a treatment Wednesday. I hope the wbc is fine. I understand your frustration. I want all my treatments over quickly with no delays too. Good Luck and update us if you find anything out. Take care!

    Lisa
  • DK2006
    DK2006 Member Posts: 126
    #5
    Hi Don,
    I'm done with my 8th treatment with FOLFOX, and my neutrophils tanked after the 3rd treatment. It's the oxaliplatin. I take neupogen, which is 5 shots, starting one day after the pump comes off,to help boost WBC production. I go in for bloodwork one day before chemo, and if my neutrophils are low, I do blood work before chemo and in one day my nuetrophils are already up. I'm sure that you will be able to do chemo on Wednesday. Best wishes! Donna
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #6
    Hi Dale,

    I am seeing a Nauturopath in Seattle at the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center. She has prescribed Melatonin to me as part of the regimen of supplements to aid in my cancer treamtent and recurrence prevention.

    I know it has well-documented anti-cancer properties, but unfortunately don't have much info or experience on how it can help your neutrophils.

    There is some information on its anti-cancer properties on Sloan-Kettering's herbs and supplements website.

    http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11571.cfm?herbsaccept=yes

    Have you considered seeing a naturopath?

    Best Wishes on getting those counts back up,
    Maria
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    lfondots63 said:

    Hi Dale,

    I'm not sure about the Melatonin either. I had to skip a treatment because of low wbc. My onc is going to start giving me Neulasta. Haven't taken it yet and have a treatment Wednesday. I hope the wbc is fine. I understand your frustration. I want all my treatments over quickly with no delays too. Good Luck and update us if you find anything out. Take care!

    Lisa

    Lisa, watch the Neulasta (I got for my BC)....you MAY get pain the next day...I did, and did NOT with Neupogin (The CRC). This is more inconvenient...4 once-a-day shots, instead of one Neulasta, but I had less shoulder pain. BOTH were VERY effective...one time my WBC went to 0.7(!) and this stuff brought it right back.
    Hugs, Kathi
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #8
    hi Dale,

    I took melatonin as part of my cancer healing protocol and still take it. It's VERY important to note that melatonin should ONLY be taken at night and NOT during the day for any reason...from what I understand. It works to shrink tumors but taken in the day can actually grow them.

    This is taken from Patrick Quillin's book--Beating Cancer with Nutrition:

    "3-20 mg at bedtime--.......inhibits several tumor lines, reduces toxicity from chemo and radiation,......stimulates immune system to become more toxic against tumors." pg 198

    There's other good info on it in there too, but that's all I quoted.

    Get the book.

    It is fabulous for helping me to sleep good and hard. And it's an antioxidant not a narcotic.

    peace, emily

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